2. Contact Info

3. Dealer Selection

The Mazda6 has always played second (or even third) fiddle to fellow Japanese midsize sedans Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, and Nissan Altima. With each car recently receiving major updates, it remains to be seen if the Mazda6 will still be overlooked in its third generation. But styling is one area where the Mazda might have an edge over the rest of the segment. Are the design changes enough to bring would-be Camry- or Accord-buyers over to the Zoom-Zoom brand? Read on and decide for yourself.

The Mazda6 employs the Kodo design language first seen in production form on the CX-5 compact crossover. Like the CX-5, along with the Takeri concept the sedan was modeled after, the Mazda6 sports a large, upright grille and slender headlights. The hood is sculpted to form a character line that travels to the top of the front door, which makes the fenders look more pronounced. The outgoing Mazda6 has similarly accentuated front fenders, but the 2014 model looks sleeker and athletic.

From the side, the Mazda6’s roofline appears slightly more raked than the previous model, while a character line near the rocker panel sweeps across the bottom of the door, further adding to its sportier look. In back, the Mazda6 gets slim taillights topped with a chrome bar, which stretches from the center of one lamp across the trunk lid to connect with the other. A chrome-tipped dual exhaust setup sits beneath a sleek rear valance.

Inside, the dash has been updated from the previous model, now boasting a central touch screen borrowed from the CX-5. The instrument cluster goes from having four circular gauges to a cleaner three-binnacle design. The HVAC vents closest to the doors are now square-shaped as opposed to round on the previous model. The door panels, which are bland and featureless on the outgoing model, get more curves and accent trim for 2014.

Do you think the 2014 Mazda6’s styling is good enough to take on its midsize competition or does the outgoing Mazda6 have better styling? See our photo gallery below and draw your own conclusions.

Last week, we asked for your thoughts on the 2014 Jaguar F-Type. Many of you were wowed by the new British roadster’s styling, with commenter AdiTPT saying, “Definitely the best looking modern Jaguar yet. I really like the rear end and how it refuses to curve, flow and round off like every other roadster on the market. Overall, it is a very handsome design…”

AstonMartin007 agreed, saying, “A balanced, cohesive, and thoroughly attractive design by Callum & Company. We can only hope that this car drives as nicely as it looks. Job well done, Jaguar!”

Still, the E-Type successor had a few detractors, with Tim Donovan saying, “It’s a little over-styled, [I] hate center exhaust.” LockedOn said of the design, “[It’s] generic and boring, looks nothing like a Jag.”

European-spec 2014 Mazda6 photos are on the left, while previous-generation Mazda6 images are on the right.

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